Several games contain jokes that are specifically about games or target gamers. Inside jokes, that the non-gaming community just wouldn't catch. Some of us, on the other hand, will catch on right away. That's what this list is about: a pictorial gallery of such "inside jokes".

Note, this list is not about games with jokes or humour in general, but only games that have jokes about games or gaming.

What are some good examples? I've done some research and come up with over 50 entries, but I'm sure this doesn't exhaust the potential games that qualify. Feel free to add to this list, with pictures if possible!

NB: This list is being constantly updated; subscribe to be notified of new additions.

As the description of the game says, "Cards for this CCG were distributed for free at the 2002 Origins convention. Each card depicts a real game, creator/gaming personality or company. (The cards are paid ads.)"

...much that he related belonged more properly to the category of what-might-have-happened-had-I-only-thought-of-it-in-time-instead-of-ten-minutes-afterwards. Those are always the best and raciest adventures...

... a picked body of Toads, known as the Die-hards, or the Death-or-Glory Toads, will storm the orchard and carry everything before them, yelling for vengeance.

Check the comments on the image page for suggestions about who the shrunken heads represent, but there's no mistaking the green hair of the game's designer Friedemann Friese! (third column from left, second from top)

There are lots of inside jokes here and name references. Most well-known is Gygax Dragonlord, a reference to the late Gary Gygax, who together with Dave Arneson created the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).

On the south of the map, on the border of Rhiann, N'Dardia and Ka-Chunk is the Hill of Avalon, a reference to publisher Avalon Hill.

The entire Munchkin series is a spoof on role-playing games in general, so it abounds with inside gamer jokes. Many players readily admit that it's appeal is someone limited to RPG fans, because they are the only ones who will get some of the inside jokes!

Several cards in this CCG have inside joke references - the card "KRCG News Radio" in the original set refers to the initials of its designer Richard C. Garfield. The card "WRMH Talk Radio" refers to Mark Rein-Hagen, designer of "World of Darkness" (the game it was based on).

Another reference to Essen, the location of the world's biggest game fair: on the German map of Power Grid. Admittedly, Essen is one of the larger cities in Germany, so including it on a map of Germany is in itself not likely a gamer joke. But could the fact that it is one of the two cities with the cheapest connections (along with Duisburg) be an inside joke, to give it special importance?